The Pantry is a place where people come together and support one another. Community is built every day in the Pantry. The families we serve help each other, volunteers and families get to know each other, and the community becomes stronger as a whole.

What makes our pantry special?
One thing that makes us special is our “shopping” approach. In 2006 we took a leap of faith and changed from distributing pre-sacked bags to providing a client-choice method of food distribution. Families choose what they need and there are few limits on more expensive, less available items such as meat and toiletries.

Why shopping? This is a question we forget to ask ourselves anymore. We had some very skeptical volunteers at first, but shopping has become a unique and successful way to help families meet their needs. Research says standardized boxes increase waste. Up to half the food given will not ultimately be consumed. For us, however, in the end it is more about the respect we provide each other and the community building that develops through the relationships that are created in the Pantry.